12 September 2022
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 12 September 2022
Cabinet date: 12 September 2022
Disability Justice Strategy 3rd Annual Report
Minute Number: 22/121/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Disability deliver a Ministerial Statement on, and table the Disability Justice Strategy 3rd Annual Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
A Ministerial Statement and tabling of the Disability Justice Strategy 3rd Annual Report will impact people with disability, their families, carers and the community. It provides an opportunity for the ACT Government to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to equitable access to justice and inclusion within a human rights framework for people living in the ACT.
TCCS Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 22/128/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Transport Canberra and City Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 to make minor amendments to various pieces of legislation across the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate’s portfolio of legislation.
The TCCS Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 addresses the Governance and Institutions domain. This domain seeks to ensure Canberrans have a government and other institutions that respect human rights, are responsible, reliable, have integrity, are open and fair. The proposed amendments will provide certainty and consistency in the interpretation and application of legislation that are relied on in the provision of services for the Canberra community.
ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy
Minute Number: 22/240/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the release of the ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy.
The ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy (ACT Strategy) has direct implications for mental health services and the workforce required to deliver the services. This work will guide the direction of the ACT mental health workforce now and into the future. It is intended that the actions arising from this work in the long-term will improve outcomes for the ACT community by supporting the delivery of high-quality mental health care through ensuring that the workforce has the skills and supports it needs to be responsive to the evolving mental health needs of the community. The ACT Strategy also acknowledges the need to support the ACT mental health workforce to enable it to continue to meet the needs of the ACT community.
ACT Legal Assistance Action Plan
Minute Number: 22/272/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the release of the ACT’s Legal Assistance Action Plan 2023-25 by the ACT Attorney-General by 30 September 2022.
The main wellbeing domain this submission will impact is Governance and Institutions. The ACT’s Legal Assistance Action Plan 2023-25 provides a road map for the ACT Government and the ACT legal sector to work collaboratively to deliver the ACT’s Legal Assistance Sector Strategy 2023-25 – to strengthen sector capability and sustainability, and improve the wellbeing of and access to justice for vulnerable people in Canberra.
Planning Bill 2022 – Agreement to introduce
Minute Number: 22/339/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Planning Bill 2022 be introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly
The proposal is anticipated to positively impact the wellbeing of the Canberra community through establishing a planning system that supports and enhances the Territory’s liveability and prosperity, and promotes the wellbeing of residents. The proposal will have substantial wellbeing impacts across the economy, environment and climate, and governance and institutions wellbeing domains.
Threatened Species Day 7 September 2022
Minute Number: 22/385/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment deliver the Ministerial Statement – Threatened Species Day 7 September 2022 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Government Response to Assembly Committee Reports – Annual and Financial Reports 2020-21
Minute Number: 22/388/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government Responses to the Legislative Assembly Standing Committee Reports on 2020-21 Annual and Financial Reports.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
ACT’s National Agreement on Closing the Gap Annual Report 2022
Minute Number: 22/408/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the ACT Annual Report on progress against the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first people. First Nations people have the right to self-determination which is an ongoing process of choice to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are able to meet their social, cultural and economic needs.
Reducing Recidivism in the ACT by 25% by 2025 – Third Biannual Update
Minute Number: 22/465/CAB
Cabinet agreed to endorse the third biannual update on the ACT Government’s Reducing Recidivism in the ACT by 25% by 2025 Plan 2020 to 2023 (RR25by25 Plan).
The ACT Government’s RR25by25 Plan is seeking to contribute to a range of wellbeing impacts, including ensuring that Canberrans are, and feel, safe and included in the community, and can participate on equal terms, regardless of age, gender, cultural background or disability.
Government Response to Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety report – Inquiry into Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2022
Minute Number: 22/468/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety report on the inquiry into the Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2022.
The Government Response supports trust in government by demonstrating that the ACT Government values public discussion on how to keep the community safe from threats of terrorism and that the ACT Government is committed to upholding and protecting the human rights of all people living in the Territory.
ACT Social Recovery Plan – Ministerial Statement
Minute Number: 22/510/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services deliver a Ministerial Statement on the progress of the ACT Social Recovery Plan in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The proposal will support a range of wellbeing domains. Each of the wellbeing domains are reflected in the inclusivity and diversity of the social and economic recovery programs which will be highlighted throughout the Plan. This is in response to the significant impact COVID-19 has had on all aspects of social and economic life in the ACT. Access and connectivity has been selected as the primary wellbeing domain, as the Plan aims to demonstrate the wide range of responsive and tailored services available to the community at a time of need to support recovery due to COVID-19.
ACT High-risk Weather Season Preparedness and Seasonal Outlook 2022-23 – Ministerial Statement
Minute Number: 22/514/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Police and Emergency Services deliver a Ministerial Statement on ACT High-risk Weather Season Preparedness and Seasonal Outlook 2022-23 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Government Response to Petition 22-22 – Objection to the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021
Minute Number: 22/560/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health provide the response to Petition 22-22 - Objection to the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021 to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
This Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021 is expected to have a moderate impact on the Wellbeing Domain of Health. The Private Member’s Bill with Government amendments should encourage people to use health care by reducing stigma concerning health problems related to illicit drugs. The Bill will have a major impact on Living Standards for individuals, particularly young people, who avoid a criminal conviction for a minor drug offence, and the resulting damage to their prospects in life. The Bill will also have a moderate to major impact on the Wellbeing Domain of Governance and Institutions by expanding drug decriminalisation measures for more commonly used drugs in line with the Government’s harm minimisation approach and current community expectations.
Ministerial Statement - Biosecurity
Minute Number: 22/561/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment deliver a Ministerial Statement on Biosecurity in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The main benefits of the ACT’s strong biosecurity measures are the avoided costs and negative impacts on the environment, economy and community.
Minister for Health Trade Mission to Singapore
Minute Number: 22/577/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health deliver a Ministerial Statement on the Health Trade Mission to Singapore in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
ACT Policing Purchase Agreement 2022-2026
Minute Number: 21/832/CAB
Cabinet agreed to endorse the ACT Policing Purchase Agreement 2022-2026, subject to the Australian Federal Police approval process.
The Agreement and the services provided by ACT Policing play a critical role in the Safety domain, contributing to how safe people feel in their homes and communities, which also impacts other domains such and health and social connection.
Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program Update – Ministerial Statement
Minute Number: 22/515/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development deliver a Ministerial Statement on Growing and Renewing Public Housing to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Through the Program, Housing ACT will ensure the continued and expanded provision of social housing to those most in need.
Release of the joint Teacher Shortage Taskforce Report – Ministerial Statement
Minute Number: 22/564/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs deliver a Ministerial statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly on the Teaching Workforce Taskforce.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Victim’s Advisory Board Membership Appointment (Minute Number: 22/274/CAB)
- Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Appointments 2022 (Category G) (Minute Number: 22/387/CAB)
- Appointment of Lifetime Care and Support Commissioner and Acting Lifetime Care and Support Commissioner of the Australian Capital Territory (Minute Number: 22/443/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.